A SUSPICIOUS husband has allegedly killed his wife and her suspected lover by beating both of them with a plank on a bush path. The circumstances of the New Year’s Day killings are uncertain. The police say Mutolo Kalobwe, 44, of Ndola, allegedly killed his wife, Carol Muwowo, 34, and Emmanuel Nsombo, 67, when he found them chatting on the roadside. Some sources, however, alleged that Kalobwe found the two in the bush and beat them to death. The incident happened in Mushishi farming area.

Copperbelt Deputy Commissioner of Police Wamunyima Wamunyima said yesterday that Nsombo, of Chifubu Township, was on his way from a farm and found Muwowo, whom he started chatting with. He said Kalobwe suspected that the two had an affair and he (Kalobwe) hit Nsombo, who sustained a deep cut on the head and a fractured left hand. Mr Wamunyima said Muwowo was also hit with the same plank all over the body. The two died at the scene. He said according to investigations, Mr Nsombo and Ms Muwowo were merely talking and did not even know each other.

Mr Wamunyima said Kalobwe was arrested and is in police custody waiting to be formally charged after investigations are concluded. “The information we have is that Mr Nsombo was returning from his farm when he met Ms Muwowo, whose husband was in front of her. When Ms Muwowo’s husband saw the two chatting, he got offended as he suspected them of having an affair,” he said.

However, sources investigating the matter said Kalobwe allegedly murdered his wife and Nsombo after he allegedly caught them having sex. Meanwhile, a man of Luanshya who allegedly raped and murdered a woman has appeared in the Ndola High Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the offence. Edward Nkweto is also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. It is alleged that on June 19 last year, Nkweto raped and murdered Charity Mayeya.

He also allegedly assaulted Jenipher Mulembano. Another man of Ndola who allegedly robbed another person of K50 and a phone also appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to aggravated robbery. Judge Derrick Mulenga adjourned the matter to next week for beginning of trial. Justice Mulenga is expected to preside over 19 matters, eight sentences and three confirmations. Meanwhile, Copperbelt Province has 4,976 inmates in its correctional facilities. Speaking during the opening of the criminal session, Zambia Correctional Service deputy regional commander and assistant commissioner Changala Silwamba said Kamfinsa Correctional Facility in Kitwe has the highest number of inmates in the province.